Russian convoy crosses into Ukraine

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: The first of several Russian trucks in a convoy filled with humanitarian aid crossed over into eastern Ukraine on Friday (August 22), a Reuters witness said.
The witness said about 70 trucks, accompanied by a small number of pro-Russian rebels were on the road towards Luhansk.
The convoy as been stranded at the frontier between the two former Soviet republics for nearly a week.
Luhansk has been largely cut off by the conflict and is into its 19th day without water and regular supplies of electricity, which have hit mobile and landline phone connections. Only vital foodstuffs are on sale in the few shops remaining open.
Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of supporting and arming the rebels. Moscow denies such allegations but has warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe" in eastern Ukraine.
Interfax Ukraine cited Ukrainian government source said the trucks crossed the border without permission from Kiev and without an agreed escort from the International Committee of the Red Cross.